By Ayoola Yesirat Taiwo (300lvl Mass Comm)
- President Yasin emphasizes openness in governance, ensuring faculty projects involve all executive members and parliamentarians for oversight.
- A faculty-funded entrepreneurship program will provide students with ten skill options to promote self-sufficiency and curb theft.
- Initiatives like faculty lighting, NASSS TV, online libraries, and stricter communication rules aim to enhance the student experience.
The Ahmadu Bello University Campus Press recently sat down with Yasin, President of the Faculty of Social Sciences, to discuss his ongoing tenure and vision for the faculty. Sworn in as president in December 2024, Yasin emphasized the importance of transparency and honesty in his administration, and how these values have guided his leadership thus far.
During the interview, he revealed that a budget had been presented to the faculty parliament at the beginning of the academic session to allocate resources for various projects. While the total amount of the budget remains undisclosed due to ongoing deliberations, the president commended the parliament for assisting him maintain transparency and accountability.
“The parliament is doing a great job,” he said. “When the budget was presented, they demanded a hearing for clarification. Although the budget is currently withheld due to certain circumstances, it will be made public in due course.”
President Yasin assured that every project undertaken by his administration involves the active participation of all executive members and parliamentarians. This inclusive step means that everyone is carried along in the decision-making process to grant transparency and accountability.
“Every member will witness how things are done,” he explained. “During the final financial presentation, they can attest to the progress made.”
One of the key initiatives shared with the Campus Press is an upcoming entrepreneurship program designed to empower students, reduce theft and promote self-sustainability. The program, which will be housed under a division in the ABU Gym, will offer ten different skills for students to choose from. The faculty association will fully finance the program, including payments to facilitators.
“There are no eligibility criteria; all students can participate,” the president noted. “However, the primary goal is to onboard newly admitted students and integrate them into the system.”
To streamline communication, the NASS ABU Chapter group chat will serve as the official platform for disseminating information. Unrelated or inappropriate messages will be promptly addressed, with executives acting as admins to enforce the rules.
“Some executives are admins in the group, and they flag down any unrelated or illegal messages,” he said. “This led to the ban on anonymous messages and the removal of posts advertising bedspace sales, among others.”
Despite these efforts, President Yasin acknowledged challenges such as delays in getting formal approvals from university management and strict restrictions. For instance, the faculty’s tutorial program has been hindered by a lack of available classrooms. However, he assured that the issue is under deliberation and a positive resolution is expected soon. Collaboration with departmental presidents is also being examined to address this challenge.
Other ongoing projects include the installation of faculty lighting, the renovation of the garden near the Lecture Theatre (LT), and the revival of photocopiers. The president also explained several achievements during his short time in office, such as: Provision of an online library for study materials, launch of an editorial newsletter, refurbishment of the NASSS office, installation of NASSS TV, successful collaboration with Campus Press on CV-writing workshops, organization of the Freshers’ Fiesta and Faculty Cup, provision of electricity during blackouts and cleaning of boards in all lecture halls
President Yasin concluded by promising more innovative projects in the future and expressing gratitude to the executive members, parliamentarians and departmental presidents for their collective efforts.
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